AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He seems like such a distant memory now.
The last day we spent together was a few days ago, but it feels like it’s been a century.
So much has happened between that sweet honeymoon phase and this nightmare that I can’t keep up with it anymore.
“It still hurts, Papa.” I grab a fistful of my hoodie. “Right here, it hurts so much.”
“It’ll hurt less with time.”
“You don’t even believe that.”
“It has to. You need to get over him, Annika. If he’s bent on revenge, then he won’t stop until he destroys you, even if it also means destroying himself in the process. Do you understand?”
My lips purse, but I nod.
“I need you to promise me that you won’t seek him out. In return, I’ll let you study ballet, give you the freedom you’ve always yearned for, and I will fight the entire brotherhood so you won’t be shoved into an arranged marriage.”
I can’t believe my ears.
That’s what I always wanted from my family—freedom to decide my own destiny.
I just never thought I would get them at this price.
“Promise me, Anoushka.”
“I promise,” I murmur.
Deep inside, I pray.
I promise to let everything between me and Creighton come to an end, but only if he wakes up.
Only if I’m sure he’s all right.
After that, I don’t care about my life.
“Good.” Papa nods. “Now, let’s go home. Your mother is worried about you.”
I nod soundlessly. There are no other words spoken as we board the private jet.
It’s not out of awkwardness or anything. Papa isn’t talkative by nature, and he’s probably giving me the space he thinks I need.
He and Kolya sit opposite me, discussing business.
A tear rolls down my cheek when I catch my very last glimpse of the island.
I’ve only been here for a few months, but I had friends, a nail-biting experience, and a man who gave me the world.
Right before I ruined everything.
Maybe it’s better that I leave, after all.
This island might have made me feel alive for the first time since I was born, but it also ripped my heart to shreds.
Papa’s and Kolya’s voices filter in the background as I force myself to drift to sleep.
As soon as we land, I’m ready to go home and cry into Mom’s chest. I’m ready to let her console me, even if I blame her and Papa a little for this.
I don’t blame Papa for protecting her, but maybe I blame them for giving birth to me, for letting me be in this world where the only person I wanted with my heart and soul is impossible to have.
